Moving From Hawaii: How We Picked Where to Land on the Continent

Written by a couple who've made this move both directions.

We lived in Hawaii on Oahu for 4 years. We began talking about moving from Hawaii by the end of year three. There were several reasons why we made the decision to leave including cost of living (rent and groceries), our apartment (noise pollution), missing our families, and the cost of flying back and forth to the continent.

Once you decide to leave Hawaii, the next question is to where? Many former Hawaii residents move to the same areas on the continent according to data-backed patterns of where people go. This post will highlight the most common destinations for people leaving Hawaii, the factors that influenced our decision to leave, and how we ended up in Texas.

Also read: Signs It’s Time to Leave Hawaii

Quick Answer

A lot of former Hawaii residents commonly choose to relocate to California, Texas, Washington, Nevada, or Florida. These are states that offer either geographic familiarity, a lower cost of living, or both. We chose Texas because it is closer to family with much shorter flights to family and other states we plan to visit.

Key Takeaways

• California, Texas, and Washington consistently rank as the top three destinations for people leaving Hawaii, according to Census and IRS migration data
• Nationally, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia are the most-moved-to states in 2026, largely driven by lower cost of living and no/lower state income tax
• Cost of living, proximity to family, job market, and climate were the four biggest factors in most relocation decisions
• Some cities (Las Vegas, Seattle-area suburbs) have built informal “Hawaii transplant” communities, which can ease the adjustment
• There’s no universally “best” place to land. The right fit depends on which tradeoffs matter to you most

Where Most People Go When They Leave Hawaii

According to migration data, California sees the largest share of Hawaii out-migrants (about 17.5% in a recent dataset), followed by Texas, and Washington. A most recent 2024 Census/USAFacts data shows California, Texas, and Florida being the top three destinations.

These states dominate for a couple of main reasons. One reason is shorter flights back to the island which is why many move to the West Coast. No state income tax and a significantly lower cost of living is the second reason and why many choose Texas, Nevada, and Florida.

Popular “Hawaii Transplant” Destinations Worth Knowing About

Three of the most popular Hawaii transplant destinations include Seattle, Las Vegas, and Texas metros. The Seattle metro area (including Tacoma, Bellevue, and Spokane) is popular for cultural amenities and outdoor access. The cost of living is still high on those areas.

Las Vegas / Clark County, NV has become known as Hawaii’s “ninth island” with one of the fastest-growing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the country. Texas metros are popular for having no stat income tax and lower housing and grocery costs in comparison to Hawaii.

We chose Texas because of its proximity to both of our families and shorter flights to other states that we plan on visiting. We also appreciate the lower cost of living as well.

The Factors That Actually Matter When Choosing a City

There are many factors that people consider when choosing the next city to live in. Here are some of the top factors when choosing a city to move to from Hawaii.

Cost of Living

This is probably the biggest reason many Hawaii residents choose to move off the island. States that have no income tax and lower housing costs are seeing the highest migration in 2026.

Proximity to Family

This was one of our main reasons for relocating from Hawaii. Flight time and costs to visit family were becoming a strain on us. We have missed many holidays and family milestones over the years.

Job Market

Career fields and industry will vary by city so this is worth researching before making your final decision.

Climate and Lifestyle Fit

Some people are seeking a familiar coastal and mountain access like Hawaii while others seek out a completely different climate. We were looking forward to experiencing actual season (particularly fall/winter).

How We Picked Dallas

We considered some of the top cities like San Diego and Las Vegas. San Diego’s cost of living is very high. We had only considered Texas because we have family that moved there. Then it came down to choosing a city close to the family we have here.

We liked that Texas is central to everyone we love and offers shorter flights to family as well as other states we want to visit. Researching the city before making the final decision helped us as we discovered that for the amount of rent we were paying in a small 1-bedroom apartment in Honolulu, we could rent a 2-bed/2-bath home with central air/heat.

Having lower grocery prices has been one of our favorite things about moving from Hawaii. We have so many more options to choose from for buying groceries as well as tons of retail stores to shop at.

After 4 years of living with high grocery prices, a noisy apartment, and limited options to shop, we are grateful for having made the move.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Your Next City

Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself before choosing the place you move to next:

• How long is the flight and what is the cost to fly back to Hawaii or to family from this city?
• Does my job or career filed have real opportunities here or would I need to make a change?
• What is the cost of living gap compared to what I’m paying in Hawaii now?
• Am I choosing this city for me and my family, or because it’s where “everyone” from Hawaii moves to?

What to Do Once You’ve Narrowed It Down

After you’ve picked the city you want to move to, it will be time to handle your lease (if it hasn’t ended) or home sale. You’ll also want to figure out what to ship versus what to sell or get rid of.

• Check out: Shipping Your Car and Belongings From Hawaii: What It Costs
• Related: Selling or Breaking a Lease in Hawaii Before You Move

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do most people move after leaving Hawaii?

The most popular relocation spots include California, Texas, and Washington based on Census and IRS migration data.

What state has the most former Hawaii residents?

California has the largest share nationally while Texas and Washington follow close behind.

Is it cheaper to move to Texas or California from Hawaii?

Texas has a lower cost of living and no state income tax versus California.

How do I decide where to move after leaving Hawaii?

There are four key factors to help you decide: cost of living, proximity to family, job market, and climate/lifestyle fit.

Do a lot of Hawaii residents move to Las Vegas?

Yes. Las Vegas/Clark County has been known as a top relocation spot for Hawaii residents.

What is the best state to move to from Hawaii for lower cost of living?

The three states that offer a lower cost of living include Texas, Nevada, and Florida for having no state income tax and much lower housing costs compared to Hawaii.

Final Thoughts

As of this writing, we have been living in Texas for a little over a month. We are still becoming accustomed to the weather here. It gets really hot in the summer and we have yet to experience the winter months yet but are excited none the less.

Our living situation has greatly improved. For example, for the same amount of rent in Hawaii, we are able to rent a house versus a one bedroom apartment. Groceries are far more affordable and so is gas.

When choosing the best places to move from Hawaii, consider living costs, how close you are to family, the job market, and the climate. No place will fit all of your requirements 100% but some may get a lot closer than others.